The Tama Zoo and the Ueno Zoo (both in Tokyo) perform annual training drills so that zookeepers know what to do when an animal escapes. Since they cannot use a dangerous beast, workers dress as the escapee, which gives zoo visitors and web surfers an entertaining interlude. The drill this week at the Tama Zoo featured a Siberian tiger who got out of its pen during an earthquake.

A person disguised as a Siberian tiger ran wild through Tokyo's Tama Zoo yesterday in an exercise to prepare zookeepers for dangerous situations involving escaped animals.

Yesterday's dramatic simulation involved a Siberian tiger that escaped its pen following an earthquake. The mock animal wandered freely through the park, attacking zoo workers and visitors before it was surrounded with nets, shot with a tranquilizer dart, and transported back to its cage.
Theatrical exercises involving people in animal costumes are conducted each year in Tokyo at either Tama Zoo or Ueno Zoo. In addition to providing hands-on experience with capturing escaped animals, the drills force zookeepers to administer first aid, usher visitors to safety, and coordinate with local emergency services.

Yes, because this will prepare somebody to deal with a 500lbs cat that is all muscle, power and teeth.....with the bit of cute, fluffy fur and stripes....

Idiots!

__________________Regards,
James.
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.I do not keep any DWA animals. The majority of my knowledge comes from books and the internet and not practical experience.

I think you'll find most zoos do this to gain an idea of what the animal might do and where it may go. If you ever saw the Zoo Tiger Escape about the incident at the San Francisco Zoo it showed zoos doing this and explained why. Anyway to gain training and to prepare for the possibility of such events is far from idiotic.

I think you'll find most zoos do this to gain an idea of what the animal might do and where it may go. If you ever saw the Zoo Tiger Escape about the incident at the San Francisco Zoo it showed zoos doing this and explained why. Anyway to gain training and to prepare for the possibility of such events is far from idiotic.

Totally agreed!
You know the other day I was wondering why soldiers practice against paper targets when they fire their guns and not other people, how idiotic they are.
It's sometimes wise to think stuff through VL...

A person is NEVER going to have the mindset that a cat would, especially a cat that is confused.

Zoo keepers, in theory should already have the experience and protocol in place to deal with such an event.

__________________Regards,
James.
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.I do not keep any DWA animals. The majority of my knowledge comes from books and the internet and not practical experience.

That doesn't change the fact it teaches the group, what they have to do. a) work as a team, and b) attempt to pen the animal in.

How would they have the experience if they hadn't practiced this, because they certainly shouldn't have tigers escaping all the time to gain this experience. And this is what they are doing, practicing the protocol...

Yes, because this will prepare somebody to deal with a 500lbs cat that is all muscle, power and teeth.....with the bit of cute, fluffy fur and stripes....

Idiots!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViperLover

It's a person.

A person is NEVER going to have the mindset that a cat would, especially a cat that is confused.

Zoo keepers, in theory should already have the experience and protocol in place to deal with such an event.

When you go to post, ask yourself - "Did i actually think before typing"

For all you know this particular zoo worker might have studied the cat he was copying in detail for the last 5 years. Mimicking his behaviours, routines, likes and dislikes - establishing a deep understanding of the mindset of the creature he watches, able to switch to the mindset of this impressive beast at a moments notice!
Or not.
He might just be a regular joe who shovels sh*t and polishes glass for most of the day.
But you don't know, so don't go assuming things because that just makes an ass out of you and Ming (the Japanese zoo worker, see what i did there? )

Also worth noting that you are saying that in theory all zoo keepers should have had to deal with an escaped wild animal. I'd LOVE to be the insurance agent for that facility!!!!

One of your "best" post sets in a while James, laughed for a good 30 seconds or so.